well, mr. arnett, what exactly did you expect for a reaction? this is precisely why you show objectivity as a journalist and you do not put yourself into a story that you are covering. the very essence of journalism is reporting what you see, what you hear, but not what you think. that's what the editorial page is for. obviously journalists have opinions, but you share those with family and friends, not the whole world - and certainly not with the press of the nation your nation is fighting against.
that said, this provides yet another unique dynamic to the war coverage we have seen from the press. i will mull over this as i make my way to work this morning and comment more during the workday ... as well as a general recap of what proved to be a ... very full weekend, for lack of a better word. fun is certainly an appropriate word as well, but it doesn't do the experience justice. hopefully i'll make sense later on.
3.31.2003
3.29.2003
another thing to file under either "completely random" or "hilarious fodder for the great american novel":
early this evening, i am going to an audition. for what, you ask?
two television pilots and a feature film. apparently the guy who cast "that 70s show" is holding a casting call today in the area and, since i heard about it on the radio and thought it would be hilarious for a vickie to go through this experience, called when i returned from happy hour last night (a factor that i'm sure contributed to my lack of nervousness about making said phone call) and got all of the information for it. so now, before i attend "ladies night" at blythe's and, possibly, the spring fever party at patrick's, i am auditioning. i think it's going to be hysterical -- i've always said i wanted to try something like this and there's no pressure on me whatsoever (sure i have self-confidence, but come on. vickie gracing either the big or small screen? we all know there's no way in hell!), so i can sit back, observe what the experience is like, who is there and what the feelings associated with the process are, go through the audition and then laugh tonight about what i have done.
how fun is this???
early this evening, i am going to an audition. for what, you ask?
two television pilots and a feature film. apparently the guy who cast "that 70s show" is holding a casting call today in the area and, since i heard about it on the radio and thought it would be hilarious for a vickie to go through this experience, called when i returned from happy hour last night (a factor that i'm sure contributed to my lack of nervousness about making said phone call) and got all of the information for it. so now, before i attend "ladies night" at blythe's and, possibly, the spring fever party at patrick's, i am auditioning. i think it's going to be hysterical -- i've always said i wanted to try something like this and there's no pressure on me whatsoever (sure i have self-confidence, but come on. vickie gracing either the big or small screen? we all know there's no way in hell!), so i can sit back, observe what the experience is like, who is there and what the feelings associated with the process are, go through the audition and then laugh tonight about what i have done.
how fun is this???
3.28.2003
it's official.
lock your doors.
keep your children off the streets.
cower in the corner of your room.
because, come april 11, it's gametime. revelry time. debauchery time.
yes, ladies and gentlemen ...
it's gonna get ugly. it's gonna get caaaaaarrrrrazy.
it's going to be fantastic. :)
becca's coming to visit!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lock your doors.
keep your children off the streets.
cower in the corner of your room.
because, come april 11, it's gametime. revelry time. debauchery time.
yes, ladies and gentlemen ...
it's gonna get ugly. it's gonna get caaaaaarrrrrazy.
it's going to be fantastic. :)
becca's coming to visit!!!!!!!!!!!!!
perhaps inspired by the fact that i've begun reading "the hours":
she wondered at the remarkable specificity of one person's life, one of millions of individual lives in the world as she sat on the metro and watched just some of those lives pour in and out of the subway car. how could it be that no one else in the world was experiencing just what she was feeling, thinking at that very moment? how could it be that no one but her would ever see that moment of time from her specific point of view? to think that no one would be sitting at that seat, holding that purple and gold umbrella in her left hand, clutching a shoulder strap in her right, filled her with a sense of wonder and bittersweetness - for she realized no one would experience that sense of wonder she was feeling at that very moment.
the thought remained at the front of her mind as she walked off the train and up the three stairs leading into union station, where she smiled in appreciation at the attractive young man up ahead who looked back at her with a smile as he waited to hold the door open for her. she bought her pack of gum and strode to the escalators leading out of the station, heading towards her office building with, for the first time this week, a sense of purpose and eager vitality, looking at the familiar surroundings with newer, fresher eyes, realizing that it was a good start to the day and that, regardless of what else happened on this particular friday, it was a good day because of those precious moments of happiness about the sensation, the very essence, of life.
she wondered at the remarkable specificity of one person's life, one of millions of individual lives in the world as she sat on the metro and watched just some of those lives pour in and out of the subway car. how could it be that no one else in the world was experiencing just what she was feeling, thinking at that very moment? how could it be that no one but her would ever see that moment of time from her specific point of view? to think that no one would be sitting at that seat, holding that purple and gold umbrella in her left hand, clutching a shoulder strap in her right, filled her with a sense of wonder and bittersweetness - for she realized no one would experience that sense of wonder she was feeling at that very moment.
the thought remained at the front of her mind as she walked off the train and up the three stairs leading into union station, where she smiled in appreciation at the attractive young man up ahead who looked back at her with a smile as he waited to hold the door open for her. she bought her pack of gum and strode to the escalators leading out of the station, heading towards her office building with, for the first time this week, a sense of purpose and eager vitality, looking at the familiar surroundings with newer, fresher eyes, realizing that it was a good start to the day and that, regardless of what else happened on this particular friday, it was a good day because of those precious moments of happiness about the sensation, the very essence, of life.
3.25.2003
awwww ...
the senator called a few minutes ago and was asking me about how the calls were going and whatnot, then he asked how i was doing and all and thanked me for being there, saying "well, i'm glad you're here." how sweet! an aw shucks kind of comment that helps on a day that started far too early and is dragging at the moment ...
but the sun is shining and it is supposed to be a gorgeous day, so i am incredibly excited about getting outside during lunch, curling up on the baking-in-the-sun granite by the fountain with my lunch and book, letting the sun work its relaxing magic ... yesterday, robyn and i were worshipping the sun god during lunch and had a great time - and now today is supposed to be even nicer. hurrah!
the senator called a few minutes ago and was asking me about how the calls were going and whatnot, then he asked how i was doing and all and thanked me for being there, saying "well, i'm glad you're here." how sweet! an aw shucks kind of comment that helps on a day that started far too early and is dragging at the moment ...
but the sun is shining and it is supposed to be a gorgeous day, so i am incredibly excited about getting outside during lunch, curling up on the baking-in-the-sun granite by the fountain with my lunch and book, letting the sun work its relaxing magic ... yesterday, robyn and i were worshipping the sun god during lunch and had a great time - and now today is supposed to be even nicer. hurrah!
3.24.2003
Something Suspicious Is In the Air
By Courtland Milloy
Monday, March 24, 2003; Page B01
The sign above the highway leading into the nation's capital advised motorists to "Report Suspicious Activity" and gave an 800 number for the Office of Homeland Security. As a reporter, I figured this was right up my alley and set out yesterday to report on things that struck me as suspicious.
For instance, near the Jefferson Memorial, I saw a five-foot-tall metal box that was hooked up to an electrical outlet and equipped with a high-tech antenna and chrome-dome receptor. What was it?
I asked a couple of National Park Service workers and some Cherry Blossom Festival organizers whose tent was set up next to the thing if they knew. Little did I know that my inquiry would become a suspicious activity in itself.
"We hear you've been asking curious questions," U.S. Park Police officer Michael Ramirez said as he and fellow officer Karl Spilde approached me from behind a blossomless cherry tree. "Why are you doing that?"
Both officers carried 9mm semiautomatic pistols, Mace and batons. Perhaps because I had just left the Jefferson Memorial, where I'd read a few lines about "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" and "all men are created equal," I felt bold enough to pose a question of my own: "Why are you asking me that?"
What I really wanted to know was why my questions about the box had made me suspect. Or was it that an African American -- whom someone may have mistaken for a Middle Easterner -- was asking them?
The only way to get to the bottom of this, I thought, was to ask more questions.
"Let me see your ID," Spilde said.
"Why?" I asked.
Wrong response.
"Call for backup," Spilde eventually told Ramirez as he seized my notebook and pen and began to search me. Was I being arrested, I asked before turning over my driver's license.
Eight officers responded to the call for backup. One told me that, legally, I was not being arrested, just subject to "investigative detention."
Said Sgt. R.J. Steinheimer, "There have been reports of suspicious activity regarding you."
"By whom?" I asked.
"Can't tell you that," he replied.
"What kind of suspicious activity?" I asked.
"Apparently you have been showing interest in equipment on the grounds, making notes, that sort of thing," he said. "Are you interested in talking to us about what you're doing?"
I could have told him right then that I was a journalist. But I figured that any citizen should be able to ask a couple of questions without being detained as a suspicious person. I told him that I simply wanted to know what kind of machine it was.
"Are you aware of the current threat level?" Officer J. Keyser asked.
I told him I was. The United States had, after all, just launched an attack on Iraq knowing that it would increase the chances of terrorist attacks at home. But that didn't explain why I was being associated with Code Orange.
Officer E. Sinkeldam asked if I'd seen the ABC-TV piece on "20/20" about how "al Qaeda operatives had posed as tourists and had used their video cameras for surveillance before 9/11. In this heightened state of alert," he explained, "if anyone shows a particular interest in something, we get suspicious."
I pointed out that people all around us were using video cameras and cameras of all kinds to photograph who knows what. Even knowing I'd never get a straight answer, I pointedly asked whether I had been detained because I was African American or whether I looked Middle Eastern. The officers just smiled wryly. A Park Police detective would later say that "a tourist" had reported me to police. As soon as I heard that, I knew which one it was. I recalled that as I began photographing the metal box, a woman pulled out her cell phone and began keeping a not-so-discreet eye on me.
After an hour and a half, when word finally got around that I was a writer for The Washington Post, the atmosphere lightened up considerably. The officers even answered my question about that contraption: It was simply an air quality testing device.
And as if to let me know that we were all on the same side now, Officer Keyser asked, "Have you noticed any suspicious activity in the area?"
from the washinginton post
By Courtland Milloy
Monday, March 24, 2003; Page B01
The sign above the highway leading into the nation's capital advised motorists to "Report Suspicious Activity" and gave an 800 number for the Office of Homeland Security. As a reporter, I figured this was right up my alley and set out yesterday to report on things that struck me as suspicious.
For instance, near the Jefferson Memorial, I saw a five-foot-tall metal box that was hooked up to an electrical outlet and equipped with a high-tech antenna and chrome-dome receptor. What was it?
I asked a couple of National Park Service workers and some Cherry Blossom Festival organizers whose tent was set up next to the thing if they knew. Little did I know that my inquiry would become a suspicious activity in itself.
"We hear you've been asking curious questions," U.S. Park Police officer Michael Ramirez said as he and fellow officer Karl Spilde approached me from behind a blossomless cherry tree. "Why are you doing that?"
Both officers carried 9mm semiautomatic pistols, Mace and batons. Perhaps because I had just left the Jefferson Memorial, where I'd read a few lines about "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" and "all men are created equal," I felt bold enough to pose a question of my own: "Why are you asking me that?"
What I really wanted to know was why my questions about the box had made me suspect. Or was it that an African American -- whom someone may have mistaken for a Middle Easterner -- was asking them?
The only way to get to the bottom of this, I thought, was to ask more questions.
"Let me see your ID," Spilde said.
"Why?" I asked.
Wrong response.
"Call for backup," Spilde eventually told Ramirez as he seized my notebook and pen and began to search me. Was I being arrested, I asked before turning over my driver's license.
Eight officers responded to the call for backup. One told me that, legally, I was not being arrested, just subject to "investigative detention."
Said Sgt. R.J. Steinheimer, "There have been reports of suspicious activity regarding you."
"By whom?" I asked.
"Can't tell you that," he replied.
"What kind of suspicious activity?" I asked.
"Apparently you have been showing interest in equipment on the grounds, making notes, that sort of thing," he said. "Are you interested in talking to us about what you're doing?"
I could have told him right then that I was a journalist. But I figured that any citizen should be able to ask a couple of questions without being detained as a suspicious person. I told him that I simply wanted to know what kind of machine it was.
"Are you aware of the current threat level?" Officer J. Keyser asked.
I told him I was. The United States had, after all, just launched an attack on Iraq knowing that it would increase the chances of terrorist attacks at home. But that didn't explain why I was being associated with Code Orange.
Officer E. Sinkeldam asked if I'd seen the ABC-TV piece on "20/20" about how "al Qaeda operatives had posed as tourists and had used their video cameras for surveillance before 9/11. In this heightened state of alert," he explained, "if anyone shows a particular interest in something, we get suspicious."
I pointed out that people all around us were using video cameras and cameras of all kinds to photograph who knows what. Even knowing I'd never get a straight answer, I pointedly asked whether I had been detained because I was African American or whether I looked Middle Eastern. The officers just smiled wryly. A Park Police detective would later say that "a tourist" had reported me to police. As soon as I heard that, I knew which one it was. I recalled that as I began photographing the metal box, a woman pulled out her cell phone and began keeping a not-so-discreet eye on me.
After an hour and a half, when word finally got around that I was a writer for The Washington Post, the atmosphere lightened up considerably. The officers even answered my question about that contraption: It was simply an air quality testing device.
And as if to let me know that we were all on the same side now, Officer Keyser asked, "Have you noticed any suspicious activity in the area?"
from the washinginton post
3.23.2003
after returning from grocery shopping/enjoying outdoors, i am taking a quick break before returning to enjoying outdoors. i'm not doing anything today besides relaxing and enjoying myself, dammit. :) :) :) :) :)
[eight songs that get stuck in your head frequently]
1. the random justin timberlake song i can never remember the name of but i love
2. lately, bombs over baghdad
3. mraz - the remedy
4. mraz - you & i both
5. howie - brace yourself
6. coldplay - clocks
7. nelly - hot in herre
8. tori - wednesday
[four beverages you drink frequently]
1. water
2. tea
3. vodka cran
4. midori sour
[five tv shows you liked when you were a little kid]
1. mr. rogers' neighborhood
2. gem
3. fraggle rock
4. you can't do that on television
5. mr. wizard
[four places to go in your area]
1. museums
2. adams morgan
3. chipotle
4. i'm in dc. take your pick.
[four things to do when you're bored]
1. read
2. talk on the phone
3. play guitar
4. listen to music and sing along
[four things that never fail to cheer you up]
1. mraz
2. my friends
3. chipotle
4. writing
[four things you can't live without]
1. journal
2. music
3. friends
4. chipotle ;)
[about ten years ago *list three things*]
1. i was preparing to graduate from elementary school
2. i wore leggings and oversized sweaters
3. the top of the log cabin was the cool place to chill during recess
[about two years ago *list three things*]
1. i was uber sports editor girl
2. mark pater in a towel sighting
3. i was preparing for my first trip to dc for actf
[about one year ago *list three things*]
1. graduation was looming
2. i was scared to death of graduation - we coped. we drank a lot and took photos. :)
3. i was preparing for my second trip to dc for actf
[today...]
1. is a glorious day in the greater dc metropolitan area
2. is oscar sunday
3. is howie sunday
[seven things you love]
1. music
2. theater
3. friends
4. family
5. writing
6. warmth
7. hugs
[seven things you dislike]
1. being cold
2. war
3. mondays
4. lack of time
5. struggling
6. drama
7. seafood
[seven things on your desk]
1. frame with four photos in it
2. books
3. printer
4. candles
5. cds
6. contact lenses
7. photo box
[seven facts about you]
1. i'm working on the great american novel
2. i have a 19-year-old big little brother who is a kickass punk
3. my dream job right now is theater critic for the washington post
4. i have been living in the washington area for over half a year now
5. i love going to concerts
6. i have never been able to tolerate the taste of beer
7. i have an extensive list of future husbands, which makes it clear that i will give liz taylor a run for her money in the whole number of marriages game.
[7 artists/bands/people should give a listen to]
1. jason mraz
2. howie day
3. rufus wainwright
4. bleu
5. jeff buckley
6. averi
7. main street east
among the tons of others ... this is just a random collection of suggestions. not indicative of any particular preferences or anything.
[four things you would eat on the last day of your life]
1. a huge mexican meal - with daquaris
2. lemon sherbert from richardson's (middleton, mass.)
3. chocolate covered expresso beans
4. peanut butter cups
[four records from your collection that you will never get tired of]
1. any of the live mraz i have (thanks paul!)
2. averi - direction of motion
3. jeff buckley - grace
4. tori - scarlet's walk
[six music celebrities you would have sex with]
1. mraz
2. howie
3. bono
4. mayer
5. lead singer of eve 6
6. justin timberlake
[four vacations you have taken]
1. the "vickie in vegas" tour (utah and vegas)
2. florida
3. boston area
4. o'neill (although it's certainly not a VACATION, it was as amazing an experience as vacations tend to be) - connecticut
[four things you'd like to learn]
1. my guitar. finally.
2. how/when/where all of shakespeare's works were written.
3. how to write dialogue
4. EVERYthing (hehehehe) about orlando bloom. ;-)
[eight songs that get stuck in your head frequently]
1. the random justin timberlake song i can never remember the name of but i love
2. lately, bombs over baghdad
3. mraz - the remedy
4. mraz - you & i both
5. howie - brace yourself
6. coldplay - clocks
7. nelly - hot in herre
8. tori - wednesday
[four beverages you drink frequently]
1. water
2. tea
3. vodka cran
4. midori sour
[five tv shows you liked when you were a little kid]
1. mr. rogers' neighborhood
2. gem
3. fraggle rock
4. you can't do that on television
5. mr. wizard
[four places to go in your area]
1. museums
2. adams morgan
3. chipotle
4. i'm in dc. take your pick.
[four things to do when you're bored]
1. read
2. talk on the phone
3. play guitar
4. listen to music and sing along
[four things that never fail to cheer you up]
1. mraz
2. my friends
3. chipotle
4. writing
[four things you can't live without]
1. journal
2. music
3. friends
4. chipotle ;)
[about ten years ago *list three things*]
1. i was preparing to graduate from elementary school
2. i wore leggings and oversized sweaters
3. the top of the log cabin was the cool place to chill during recess
[about two years ago *list three things*]
1. i was uber sports editor girl
2. mark pater in a towel sighting
3. i was preparing for my first trip to dc for actf
[about one year ago *list three things*]
1. graduation was looming
2. i was scared to death of graduation - we coped. we drank a lot and took photos. :)
3. i was preparing for my second trip to dc for actf
[today...]
1. is a glorious day in the greater dc metropolitan area
2. is oscar sunday
3. is howie sunday
[seven things you love]
1. music
2. theater
3. friends
4. family
5. writing
6. warmth
7. hugs
[seven things you dislike]
1. being cold
2. war
3. mondays
4. lack of time
5. struggling
6. drama
7. seafood
[seven things on your desk]
1. frame with four photos in it
2. books
3. printer
4. candles
5. cds
6. contact lenses
7. photo box
[seven facts about you]
1. i'm working on the great american novel
2. i have a 19-year-old big little brother who is a kickass punk
3. my dream job right now is theater critic for the washington post
4. i have been living in the washington area for over half a year now
5. i love going to concerts
6. i have never been able to tolerate the taste of beer
7. i have an extensive list of future husbands, which makes it clear that i will give liz taylor a run for her money in the whole number of marriages game.
[7 artists/bands/people should give a listen to]
1. jason mraz
2. howie day
3. rufus wainwright
4. bleu
5. jeff buckley
6. averi
7. main street east
among the tons of others ... this is just a random collection of suggestions. not indicative of any particular preferences or anything.
[four things you would eat on the last day of your life]
1. a huge mexican meal - with daquaris
2. lemon sherbert from richardson's (middleton, mass.)
3. chocolate covered expresso beans
4. peanut butter cups
[four records from your collection that you will never get tired of]
1. any of the live mraz i have (thanks paul!)
2. averi - direction of motion
3. jeff buckley - grace
4. tori - scarlet's walk
[six music celebrities you would have sex with]
1. mraz
2. howie
3. bono
4. mayer
5. lead singer of eve 6
6. justin timberlake
[four vacations you have taken]
1. the "vickie in vegas" tour (utah and vegas)
2. florida
3. boston area
4. o'neill (although it's certainly not a VACATION, it was as amazing an experience as vacations tend to be) - connecticut
[four things you'd like to learn]
1. my guitar. finally.
2. how/when/where all of shakespeare's works were written.
3. how to write dialogue
4. EVERYthing (hehehehe) about orlando bloom. ;-)
i'm sure that i'll wind up napping at some point today (or at least i'll entertain the notion of it, anyway), but i woke up at 8:30 and could not fall asleep again. aurgh! figuring that this is the one day that i COULD sleep in and i'm wide awake, you know that all this work week, i'll be wishing and hoping that i could sleep in ... always works out that way.
so i'm sitting here watching the war coverage (as i always have been lately) and realize that once again, i forgot to do the friday five on friday ... and since i'm working to make sure this is a weekly feature for me (and i really don't understand why i'm so hellbent on this, but you know, whatever), here is my friday five on sunday (which i'm sure is more likely to become a weekly feature than the friday five on friday -- heehee):
1. if you had the chance to meet someone you've never met, from the past or present, who would it be?
i always hate the various forms this type of question take, because trying to limit it to one person is so frustrating ... looking at the overall world perspective, part of me would lead towards shakespeare, so i could finally sit there and answer the question of "did he really write all of the work attributed to him?" and because i find the work he did in his lifetime to be absolutely amazing. not to mention how much that work has come to influence my life and all ... but on a personal level, i think i would go with either my grandfather (on my mother's side, who died of a heart attack when my mother was four years old) or my grandmother (on my father's side, who died of a heart attack when my father was seventeen). but, since i'm demanding, i'd add the condition that when i met whichever grandparent, my parents and brother were with me. that way whichever parent who was the child of that grandparent could meet him/her again as an adult and fill the grandparent in on his/her life, the other parent could meet the grandparent, and my brother could at least meet him/her.
2. if you had to live in a different century, past or future, which would it be?
ah, that one's easy. past. elizabethan times. preferably elizabethan england.
3. if you had to move anywhere else on earth, where would it be?
england. london, to be precise.
4. if you had to be a fictional character, who would it be?
ooooh, this is a good question! that opens up so many possibilities ... i think, without thinking about it too much, i'm going to go with marianne from "sense & sensibility" -- to live in those times and whatnot as well as have such a romantic and passionate outlook on life would make for a pretty happy me.
5. if you had to live with having someone else's face as your own for the rest of your life, whose would it be?
now, this raises a few very important questions/considerations. is it just the person's face, or can it be the person's head or entire body? because even the head thing is critical -- think about it -- just as a random example (not someone i'd want to share faces with or anything), norah jones. if i had her face and still my hair, that would look weird. know what i mean? if it was entire body, the whole damn package, i'd go with nicole kidman or kate winslet (from about the time of "sense & sensibility -- i think she looked gorgeous in that film). for just the head, i'd go with kate hudson (although don't get me wrong, i would be a very happy girl to wake up one morning and just look like kate hudson from head to toe -- things would be very good in vickie land).
last night provided fine quality times. our group trapsed into adams morgan, made our presence known at roxanne's (where i'd never been before -- how glorious it was to be able to sip drinks on a second-floor patio area and enjoy the relative warmth! hurrah!) and millie & al's, where were were able to swoop in on a perfect location/perfect size booth and meet up with the double trouble of erica and keri. how lovely to be laughing and hanging out with friends and then hear, "vickie! VICKIE!!!" and look up to see more friends -- and how out of the ordinary!
pizza mart can be consumed favorably, i rediscovered -- just blot the slice, avoid most of the cheese (which cuts down on the size of the slice like you would not believe!) and sprinkle on the crushed red pepper flecky stuff. mmmmm ...
ok, if i'm awake, i might as well start the day -- HAPPY OSCAR SUNDAY!!!!!!!! not to mention happy howie sunday!!!!!!!!! but before i go, here are my picks for the big categories tonight (i haven't been doing too well with the award show picks as of late, yet i'm hoping i bounce back with tonight's festivities -- we'll see!). keep in mind that these aren't necessarily who i think should win, but who i think will:
best picture: chicago
best actor: daniel day-lewis
best actress: renee zellweger
best supporting actor: john c. reilly
best supporting actress: catherine zeta-jones
best director: stephen daldry
animated feature: ice age
art direction: lord of the rings: the two towers
cinematography: chicago
costume design: chicago
documentary feature: bowling for columbine
documentary short: twin towers
film editing: lord of the rings: the two towers
best foreign language film: the crime of father amaro
makeup: frida
adapted screenplay: the hours
original screenplay: my big fat greek wedding
original score: far from heaven
original song: the hands that build america by u2
short - animated: mike's new car
short - live action: i'll wait for the next one...
sound: chicago
sound editing: lord of the rings: the two towers
visual effects: lord of the rings: the two towers
so i'm sitting here watching the war coverage (as i always have been lately) and realize that once again, i forgot to do the friday five on friday ... and since i'm working to make sure this is a weekly feature for me (and i really don't understand why i'm so hellbent on this, but you know, whatever), here is my friday five on sunday (which i'm sure is more likely to become a weekly feature than the friday five on friday -- heehee):
1. if you had the chance to meet someone you've never met, from the past or present, who would it be?
i always hate the various forms this type of question take, because trying to limit it to one person is so frustrating ... looking at the overall world perspective, part of me would lead towards shakespeare, so i could finally sit there and answer the question of "did he really write all of the work attributed to him?" and because i find the work he did in his lifetime to be absolutely amazing. not to mention how much that work has come to influence my life and all ... but on a personal level, i think i would go with either my grandfather (on my mother's side, who died of a heart attack when my mother was four years old) or my grandmother (on my father's side, who died of a heart attack when my father was seventeen). but, since i'm demanding, i'd add the condition that when i met whichever grandparent, my parents and brother were with me. that way whichever parent who was the child of that grandparent could meet him/her again as an adult and fill the grandparent in on his/her life, the other parent could meet the grandparent, and my brother could at least meet him/her.
2. if you had to live in a different century, past or future, which would it be?
ah, that one's easy. past. elizabethan times. preferably elizabethan england.
3. if you had to move anywhere else on earth, where would it be?
england. london, to be precise.
4. if you had to be a fictional character, who would it be?
ooooh, this is a good question! that opens up so many possibilities ... i think, without thinking about it too much, i'm going to go with marianne from "sense & sensibility" -- to live in those times and whatnot as well as have such a romantic and passionate outlook on life would make for a pretty happy me.
5. if you had to live with having someone else's face as your own for the rest of your life, whose would it be?
now, this raises a few very important questions/considerations. is it just the person's face, or can it be the person's head or entire body? because even the head thing is critical -- think about it -- just as a random example (not someone i'd want to share faces with or anything), norah jones. if i had her face and still my hair, that would look weird. know what i mean? if it was entire body, the whole damn package, i'd go with nicole kidman or kate winslet (from about the time of "sense & sensibility -- i think she looked gorgeous in that film). for just the head, i'd go with kate hudson (although don't get me wrong, i would be a very happy girl to wake up one morning and just look like kate hudson from head to toe -- things would be very good in vickie land).
last night provided fine quality times. our group trapsed into adams morgan, made our presence known at roxanne's (where i'd never been before -- how glorious it was to be able to sip drinks on a second-floor patio area and enjoy the relative warmth! hurrah!) and millie & al's, where were were able to swoop in on a perfect location/perfect size booth and meet up with the double trouble of erica and keri. how lovely to be laughing and hanging out with friends and then hear, "vickie! VICKIE!!!" and look up to see more friends -- and how out of the ordinary!
pizza mart can be consumed favorably, i rediscovered -- just blot the slice, avoid most of the cheese (which cuts down on the size of the slice like you would not believe!) and sprinkle on the crushed red pepper flecky stuff. mmmmm ...
ok, if i'm awake, i might as well start the day -- HAPPY OSCAR SUNDAY!!!!!!!! not to mention happy howie sunday!!!!!!!!! but before i go, here are my picks for the big categories tonight (i haven't been doing too well with the award show picks as of late, yet i'm hoping i bounce back with tonight's festivities -- we'll see!). keep in mind that these aren't necessarily who i think should win, but who i think will:
best picture: chicago
best actor: daniel day-lewis
best actress: renee zellweger
best supporting actor: john c. reilly
best supporting actress: catherine zeta-jones
best director: stephen daldry
animated feature: ice age
art direction: lord of the rings: the two towers
cinematography: chicago
costume design: chicago
documentary feature: bowling for columbine
documentary short: twin towers
film editing: lord of the rings: the two towers
best foreign language film: the crime of father amaro
makeup: frida
adapted screenplay: the hours
original screenplay: my big fat greek wedding
original score: far from heaven
original song: the hands that build america by u2
short - animated: mike's new car
short - live action: i'll wait for the next one...
sound: chicago
sound editing: lord of the rings: the two towers
visual effects: lord of the rings: the two towers
3.22.2003
another gloriously gorgeous saturday in the greater washington area ... it's been so nice one could almost feel guilty for enjoying the sunshine and warmth, knowing what is going on in the rest of the world ... note i say almost. because, dammit, it's not my fault people are stuck in this situation and it's not my fault things are, in many respects, going to hell in a handcart. i've spent all week dealing with the fact that things are horrific in the middle east, i'm not letting it bring me down!
shopping was successful, although it's much later in the day than it seems. i arrived back in my neighborhood around 4:30 and realized how late it was as i tried to decide on what i wanted for lunch ... whoops. so i figured i'd enjoy a light lunch then and have a late dinner so i'm not all sorts of empty-stomached tonight for adams morgan debauchery with paul, some of his friends and chloe ... hehehe, to be figuring out when i should eat so i'm not all sorts of messed up after a couple of drinks. i love it.
it always amazes me, how quickly the weekend flies by. saturday is always my big relaxation day, as i don't have the upcoming monday looming over me, which is always the case on sunday and there's still the possibility of saturday night fun and stress-free antics. but it goes by so fast! i figured i'd spend a few hours out and about in wheaton before heading back here and excercising before wandering around the neighborhood a bit in the warm weather and then preparing for the night out ... but next thing i know, it's 5 and i'm just getting back and, while i have a fun night out approaching, it feels like i just woke up this morning! and it's not even as if i slept in or anything -- i was awake and ready to start the day at 9:30 this morning (i know, i was just as shocked as you must be as you read this)!
but whatever -- this is just more blathering on my part. all in all, it's just happiness pertaining to a good weekend. tomorrow will be enjoyable, as the weather is supposed to be gorgeous again and i'll be able to wander if i'd like or just enjoy my typical process of shopping for the upcoming week and all and then it's oscar night and howie taping -- life is good when one can enjoy the oscars (although i am pissed that there's this whole "we need to be subdued" theme going on -- people need to be entertained more than ever before and hollywood prides itself on its ability to entertain -- do you honestly think people are going to try to bomb the red carpet? you're not at risk, my dear actors and actresses. so wear your pretty dresses, ride in the limos and do your damn job.) while knowing that i have howie goodness taping in my room.
i'm watching msnbc as i type this, watching coverage of a huge protest in nyc, and i'm surprised by the lack of protesting i'm encountering around me. granted, i don't know what's going on right now on the mall or anything and there very well could be a huge protest there that i'm just not aware of, but i figured i would have much more protest-like behavior immediately around me, as i live in d.c. and all. i expected more in my daily walk to and from work, i expected more occuring at the capitol, etc. hmm ...
ok, i am full of nothing but randomness today, so i think i will spare you all of my random incoherencies.
but before i go, i should say that i am finally reading "memoirs of a geisha" (have been for four or five days now) and it's fascinating. i recommend it.
ok, now i go away.
shopping was successful, although it's much later in the day than it seems. i arrived back in my neighborhood around 4:30 and realized how late it was as i tried to decide on what i wanted for lunch ... whoops. so i figured i'd enjoy a light lunch then and have a late dinner so i'm not all sorts of empty-stomached tonight for adams morgan debauchery with paul, some of his friends and chloe ... hehehe, to be figuring out when i should eat so i'm not all sorts of messed up after a couple of drinks. i love it.
it always amazes me, how quickly the weekend flies by. saturday is always my big relaxation day, as i don't have the upcoming monday looming over me, which is always the case on sunday and there's still the possibility of saturday night fun and stress-free antics. but it goes by so fast! i figured i'd spend a few hours out and about in wheaton before heading back here and excercising before wandering around the neighborhood a bit in the warm weather and then preparing for the night out ... but next thing i know, it's 5 and i'm just getting back and, while i have a fun night out approaching, it feels like i just woke up this morning! and it's not even as if i slept in or anything -- i was awake and ready to start the day at 9:30 this morning (i know, i was just as shocked as you must be as you read this)!
but whatever -- this is just more blathering on my part. all in all, it's just happiness pertaining to a good weekend. tomorrow will be enjoyable, as the weather is supposed to be gorgeous again and i'll be able to wander if i'd like or just enjoy my typical process of shopping for the upcoming week and all and then it's oscar night and howie taping -- life is good when one can enjoy the oscars (although i am pissed that there's this whole "we need to be subdued" theme going on -- people need to be entertained more than ever before and hollywood prides itself on its ability to entertain -- do you honestly think people are going to try to bomb the red carpet? you're not at risk, my dear actors and actresses. so wear your pretty dresses, ride in the limos and do your damn job.) while knowing that i have howie goodness taping in my room.
i'm watching msnbc as i type this, watching coverage of a huge protest in nyc, and i'm surprised by the lack of protesting i'm encountering around me. granted, i don't know what's going on right now on the mall or anything and there very well could be a huge protest there that i'm just not aware of, but i figured i would have much more protest-like behavior immediately around me, as i live in d.c. and all. i expected more in my daily walk to and from work, i expected more occuring at the capitol, etc. hmm ...
ok, i am full of nothing but randomness today, so i think i will spare you all of my random incoherencies.
but before i go, i should say that i am finally reading "memoirs of a geisha" (have been for four or five days now) and it's fascinating. i recommend it.
ok, now i go away.
ok, quiz time before i trapse off to wheaton to go shopping and enjoy the sunshine.
10 Bands You've Seen Live
in no particular order and mentioning or failing to mention bands at whim, for no particular reason
1.. new kids on the block
2.. aerosmith
3.. dave matthews band
4.. tori amos
5.. cherry poppin' daddies
6.. reel big fish
7.. green day
8.. korn
9.. ani difranco
10.. howie day
09 Things You're Looking Forward To
1.. a becca visit
2.. short-sleeved weather
3.. royal shakespeare theater company production
4.. softball and other outdoors enjoyment
5.. family visiting in april
6.. baseball games at camden yards
7.. amusement park trips
8.. volunteering at the shakespeare free for all
9.. concerts at the 9:30 club
08 Things You Wear Daily
1.. beaded hemp necklace made for me by christine
2.. silver comedy/tragedy mask ring
3.. a watch
4.. underwear
5.. socks, generally
6.. either glasses or sunglasses
7.. a shirt is helpful
8.. lip gloss of some form (whether lip smacker or not)
07 Things That Annoy You
1.. having to think about peak or non-peak minutes
2.. searching for my keys to get into my building
3.. people who call the office and think they're witty, when they're really just being immature
4.. rent
5.. our commander in chief
6.. being overly babied
7.. cabdrivers attempting to outwit inhebriated passengers
06 Things You Touch Every Day
1.. whatever book i am reading
2.. my necklace
3.. my ring
4.. my cell phone
5.. food
6.. a mug of nice hot tea
05 People You'd Want to Spend More Time or Hang out With
in no particular order, so don't get snooty! ;-)
1.. my good college friends
2.. my brother
3.. pual
4.. junior staffers in the office
5.. orlando bloom ;-)
04 Things You Do Every Day
1.. wake up
2.. eat
3.. drink (tea, water, etc., you wankers -- i'm not that bad!)
4.. listen to music and sing along
03 Movies You Could Watch Over and Over
1.. almost famous
2.. high fidelity
3.. shakespeare in love
02 Of Your Favorite Songs At This Moment
1.. any jason mraz song
2.. coldplay - clocks
01 Person You Could Spend the Rest of Your Life With
1.. orlando bloom, obviously ;-)
now you should comment with your responses. it'll be interactive! it'll be fun! get to know people! haha!
ok, sunshine, shopping. love the day.
10 Bands You've Seen Live
in no particular order and mentioning or failing to mention bands at whim, for no particular reason
1.. new kids on the block
2.. aerosmith
3.. dave matthews band
4.. tori amos
5.. cherry poppin' daddies
6.. reel big fish
7.. green day
8.. korn
9.. ani difranco
10.. howie day
09 Things You're Looking Forward To
1.. a becca visit
2.. short-sleeved weather
3.. royal shakespeare theater company production
4.. softball and other outdoors enjoyment
5.. family visiting in april
6.. baseball games at camden yards
7.. amusement park trips
8.. volunteering at the shakespeare free for all
9.. concerts at the 9:30 club
08 Things You Wear Daily
1.. beaded hemp necklace made for me by christine
2.. silver comedy/tragedy mask ring
3.. a watch
4.. underwear
5.. socks, generally
6.. either glasses or sunglasses
7.. a shirt is helpful
8.. lip gloss of some form (whether lip smacker or not)
07 Things That Annoy You
1.. having to think about peak or non-peak minutes
2.. searching for my keys to get into my building
3.. people who call the office and think they're witty, when they're really just being immature
4.. rent
5.. our commander in chief
6.. being overly babied
7.. cabdrivers attempting to outwit inhebriated passengers
06 Things You Touch Every Day
1.. whatever book i am reading
2.. my necklace
3.. my ring
4.. my cell phone
5.. food
6.. a mug of nice hot tea
05 People You'd Want to Spend More Time or Hang out With
in no particular order, so don't get snooty! ;-)
1.. my good college friends
2.. my brother
3.. pual
4.. junior staffers in the office
5.. orlando bloom ;-)
04 Things You Do Every Day
1.. wake up
2.. eat
3.. drink (tea, water, etc., you wankers -- i'm not that bad!)
4.. listen to music and sing along
03 Movies You Could Watch Over and Over
1.. almost famous
2.. high fidelity
3.. shakespeare in love
02 Of Your Favorite Songs At This Moment
1.. any jason mraz song
2.. coldplay - clocks
01 Person You Could Spend the Rest of Your Life With
1.. orlando bloom, obviously ;-)
now you should comment with your responses. it'll be interactive! it'll be fun! get to know people! haha!
ok, sunshine, shopping. love the day.
3.21.2003
aurgh. so my dear mraz is going to be playing hob cambridge -- the day after i return to dc from easter revelry in new england -- close call, but there's no feasible way i can go. and he's playing in norfolk, va on the 29th, but i don't think there's any feasible way i can get to that show. so the obvious question remains -- when will darling jason get back where i can see him at a time i can see him? i know it's soon, soon! :)
3.20.2003
this is so very true.
what a bizarre day. well, a bizarre day in a series of bizarre days. all yesterday, i felt the countdown weighing down on me, and i rushed through most of my afternoon and evening activities anticipating something, but i wasn't sure of precisely what. and then things settled down in my head a bit and i relaxed -- chatted on the phone, started to enjoy "the bachelor: where are they now?" special and whatnot, laughing with beth about how much i love bob from "the bachelorette" and all before ari fleischer hurried into the white house press room and announced that war had begun and that the president would address the nation at 10:15.
and then it really hit me that all of this was happening. and things got weird. sitting here in my bedroom, preparing for sleep but knowing that i wouldn't go to sleep right away, wondering what bush would say while knowing what he would say at the same time, watching the news coverage and returning to the process of looking for night-scope flashes of light on the baghdad skyline, just as i did twelve years ago as i sat cross-legged on the floor in front of the television at my parents' house. feeling as if things were significantly changing and they wouldn't, in many respects, be able to go back to how they were even just minutes before, yet at the same time feeling as if things were too far away to really be affecting me. i fell asleep to the sound of tom brokaw's news coverage and woke at 2:30 a.m. to find the television still on, so i turned it off, rolled back over and fell asleep until the alarm went off three hours later.
the sky opened up as i prepared for work, so by the time i made my daily commute, the gray skies and steady shower seemed to add to the sense of forboding i felt. i didn't know how things were going to be when i got to work, how i was going to feel, what i was going to be doing, what official responses there would be, etc. walking out of union station, there was a noticeable increase in police officers and other security types while commuters seemed to be in even more of a hurry to get to their destinations than normal. since i was opening up the office, the building was relatively quiet at the early hour, so i just settled in for another typical day of work.
but it felt off. arranging tours, coordinating flags -- it all seemed pretty insignificant, in the grand scheme of things. i found myself focusing more on the news coverage than anything else. i don't think anyone had their televisions set to the senate floor like they normally do, front office included. it was all cnn or msnbc coverage. why focus on the floor? they weren't discussing it, at least not really. and it seemed as if no one within the office really wanted to discuss it either. it was present -- hell, it was right in front of us on the tv screen -- but what do you really do? you don't want to focus on it or anything because you don't know what to say. it's war -- and while many within the office were in the office last time we had war, i don't think it's anything you ever get used to. it's not as if you can sit there and say, "aw yeah, same old same old."
besides, it was a random day anyway. uvm was playing arizona in the ncaa tournament, so everyone was following that and participating in their various pools (so far, i believe i'm 4-for-4, i haven't checked in a little bit, though) and hoping the cats put up a good showing (while secretly banking on arizona, as many have them going to the final four, if not winning the tourney outright, as i do). and there was a coffee hour in the conference room with everyone's favorite former governor-turned-presidential-candidate and a bunch of senators, so we were all bustling around trying to take care of that. but the whole time, the war thing was hanging over everything. when was the second wave going to hit? what truth was there to the rumors that the capitol would be shut down to tours? what were callers saying about the war? why weren't more calling?
the day went by ridiculously quickly and i bundled up before heading back out into the drizzle and muck on my way home, feeling all sorts of discombobulated. not only with the things that relate directly to the rest of my week (for example, i'm supposed to be giving two tours of the capitol tomorrow, but now think they won't happen because of the possibility of the capitol being shut down to the tours and all), but also with thoughts about what could be coming up in the uncertain future. what type of retaliation are we going to face? how long will it last and how bloody will it be? since the president has already bucked convention and is surprising everyone, can we predict what he'll do in the future of this war? is hussein alive or dead -- and was that a body double or not reading the speech? could it be that i might really have to evacuate the building sometime soon or make use of the safety hoods? how will this affect the tours i've been working on for forever and a day?
a whirlwind of thoughts of varying levels of seriousness twisting and snapping through my mind ...
what a bizarre day. well, a bizarre day in a series of bizarre days. all yesterday, i felt the countdown weighing down on me, and i rushed through most of my afternoon and evening activities anticipating something, but i wasn't sure of precisely what. and then things settled down in my head a bit and i relaxed -- chatted on the phone, started to enjoy "the bachelor: where are they now?" special and whatnot, laughing with beth about how much i love bob from "the bachelorette" and all before ari fleischer hurried into the white house press room and announced that war had begun and that the president would address the nation at 10:15.
and then it really hit me that all of this was happening. and things got weird. sitting here in my bedroom, preparing for sleep but knowing that i wouldn't go to sleep right away, wondering what bush would say while knowing what he would say at the same time, watching the news coverage and returning to the process of looking for night-scope flashes of light on the baghdad skyline, just as i did twelve years ago as i sat cross-legged on the floor in front of the television at my parents' house. feeling as if things were significantly changing and they wouldn't, in many respects, be able to go back to how they were even just minutes before, yet at the same time feeling as if things were too far away to really be affecting me. i fell asleep to the sound of tom brokaw's news coverage and woke at 2:30 a.m. to find the television still on, so i turned it off, rolled back over and fell asleep until the alarm went off three hours later.
the sky opened up as i prepared for work, so by the time i made my daily commute, the gray skies and steady shower seemed to add to the sense of forboding i felt. i didn't know how things were going to be when i got to work, how i was going to feel, what i was going to be doing, what official responses there would be, etc. walking out of union station, there was a noticeable increase in police officers and other security types while commuters seemed to be in even more of a hurry to get to their destinations than normal. since i was opening up the office, the building was relatively quiet at the early hour, so i just settled in for another typical day of work.
but it felt off. arranging tours, coordinating flags -- it all seemed pretty insignificant, in the grand scheme of things. i found myself focusing more on the news coverage than anything else. i don't think anyone had their televisions set to the senate floor like they normally do, front office included. it was all cnn or msnbc coverage. why focus on the floor? they weren't discussing it, at least not really. and it seemed as if no one within the office really wanted to discuss it either. it was present -- hell, it was right in front of us on the tv screen -- but what do you really do? you don't want to focus on it or anything because you don't know what to say. it's war -- and while many within the office were in the office last time we had war, i don't think it's anything you ever get used to. it's not as if you can sit there and say, "aw yeah, same old same old."
besides, it was a random day anyway. uvm was playing arizona in the ncaa tournament, so everyone was following that and participating in their various pools (so far, i believe i'm 4-for-4, i haven't checked in a little bit, though) and hoping the cats put up a good showing (while secretly banking on arizona, as many have them going to the final four, if not winning the tourney outright, as i do). and there was a coffee hour in the conference room with everyone's favorite former governor-turned-presidential-candidate and a bunch of senators, so we were all bustling around trying to take care of that. but the whole time, the war thing was hanging over everything. when was the second wave going to hit? what truth was there to the rumors that the capitol would be shut down to tours? what were callers saying about the war? why weren't more calling?
the day went by ridiculously quickly and i bundled up before heading back out into the drizzle and muck on my way home, feeling all sorts of discombobulated. not only with the things that relate directly to the rest of my week (for example, i'm supposed to be giving two tours of the capitol tomorrow, but now think they won't happen because of the possibility of the capitol being shut down to the tours and all), but also with thoughts about what could be coming up in the uncertain future. what type of retaliation are we going to face? how long will it last and how bloody will it be? since the president has already bucked convention and is surprising everyone, can we predict what he'll do in the future of this war? is hussein alive or dead -- and was that a body double or not reading the speech? could it be that i might really have to evacuate the building sometime soon or make use of the safety hoods? how will this affect the tours i've been working on for forever and a day?
a whirlwind of thoughts of varying levels of seriousness twisting and snapping through my mind ...
3.19.2003
there has been some major work done on the mhz website, as far as their mhz persents section, anyway, including some delightful stuff from the howie show beth and i attended ... i was delighted to see some photos from the taping, such as this, this, this (my personal favorite) and this. i'm looking forward to finally being able to see the show on sunday night (yes, i'll be taping it while i enjoy the oscars) ... whoo hoo!
so, naturally, as we have less than eight hours until the war clock reaches zero, my thoughts on the war with iraq and, in particular, being in washington as we prepare for the war with iraq.
it's surreal, really -- i look out my office window as i type this and can see the washington monument in the distance and know that across the street stands the united states capitol building. i know that my boss works for the united states senate and that i am a federal employee in the very government that is preparing its military for an attack on sadaam hussein. it's difficult, because i personally do not feel that war is necessary at this moment in time and do not approve of it -- yet as the countdown approaches zero, i want to support the men and women who are actually over there at this moment in time, preparing to risk their lives -- while not necessarily agreeing with the rationale of the man who has put them in that predicament.
washington is in an odd sort of hush, i suppose you could say. it's a clash of emotions and thoughts that we have here -- in some respects, people have been so excited about the notion of spring and getting outdoors and whatnot that there is an incredible rush of energy as people walk about in lightweight sweaters or jackets with smiles on their faces. yet the second the spring starts to hit, there is also the increase of security and precautions as this war looms. the white house has blocked off pedestrian access all around it, as well as cancelling any tours it normally offers, capitol security has increased, small piles of the black duffel bags (containing safety hoods) catch one's eye in the senate restaurant more than the red linen napkins and flowers on the tables do. each of us within the office are making sure to keep our IDs on us at all times in case we have to evacuate the building. as of tomorrow, i will be carrying my camera with me at all times with the hopes of capturing some of the images i've seen during my day-to-day travels and plan on jotting more phrases and random observations in my trusty notebook.
as i left work yesterday afternoon and began walking to union station, i could hear voices shouting and the mechanical din or a bullhorn coming from ahead of me. as i approached, i saw bodies perched upon the christopher columbus fountain, arms frozen in the air, sheets spraypainted with protest slogans lofted into the air. "no to war with iraq." "peace is the way." a twenty-something girl shouted into the bullhorn about how we needed to join together and show the president that he was not leading america into war because the american people have no desire to go into that war. the president is dragging the people into battle.
people stood around the fountain, squinting in the glare of the late afternoon sunshine as they looked up at her -- other protest-types with the stereotypical long hair and sandals, businessmen and -women obviously on their way home like i was who had stopped along the way -- some to listen, some to call people on their cells. a small number of people showed their silent support by holding their right hand in the peace sign.
this is part of what will become daily life here now ... and one must wonder if the man in the pond is going to become a fixture as well! you would not believe how much this guy is messing with the city ... it's so ridiculous and adds to the circus-like dynamic of the place. oh, nevermind -- turns out he surrendered!
i'm personally not at all worried about my safety or anything like that -- i know some people have asked about whether i'm scared to be in dc or how i'm handling it and whatnot. the same as anything else -- waking up, going to work, working, then going home or whatever for the night. again, as was the case during sniper season, i'm not going to let things change my experience -- although i admit i'm watching msnbc a bit more now so i can keep updated and all. yeah, dc can be seen as a "target" for attack, but it's also one of the safest places to be, all things considered. especially working where i do in the city! they're not going to let anything happen to us, let me tell you.
i guess the biggest thing is that it makes me realize how important my friends and family are to me. so, as things prepare to get all sorts of shaken up in this crazy world (i know, i sound like i walked off the set of "casablanca" with that one), know that i'm thinking of you fondly and hope you are feeling as safe and secure as possible in your various locations. whether i talk to you all the time or on rare occasion (or you're a reader i just don't know about that i might not have even met, in which case, well, hi!), know that i send you love and keep you in my heart.
so, naturally, as we have less than eight hours until the war clock reaches zero, my thoughts on the war with iraq and, in particular, being in washington as we prepare for the war with iraq.
it's surreal, really -- i look out my office window as i type this and can see the washington monument in the distance and know that across the street stands the united states capitol building. i know that my boss works for the united states senate and that i am a federal employee in the very government that is preparing its military for an attack on sadaam hussein. it's difficult, because i personally do not feel that war is necessary at this moment in time and do not approve of it -- yet as the countdown approaches zero, i want to support the men and women who are actually over there at this moment in time, preparing to risk their lives -- while not necessarily agreeing with the rationale of the man who has put them in that predicament.
washington is in an odd sort of hush, i suppose you could say. it's a clash of emotions and thoughts that we have here -- in some respects, people have been so excited about the notion of spring and getting outdoors and whatnot that there is an incredible rush of energy as people walk about in lightweight sweaters or jackets with smiles on their faces. yet the second the spring starts to hit, there is also the increase of security and precautions as this war looms. the white house has blocked off pedestrian access all around it, as well as cancelling any tours it normally offers, capitol security has increased, small piles of the black duffel bags (containing safety hoods) catch one's eye in the senate restaurant more than the red linen napkins and flowers on the tables do. each of us within the office are making sure to keep our IDs on us at all times in case we have to evacuate the building. as of tomorrow, i will be carrying my camera with me at all times with the hopes of capturing some of the images i've seen during my day-to-day travels and plan on jotting more phrases and random observations in my trusty notebook.
as i left work yesterday afternoon and began walking to union station, i could hear voices shouting and the mechanical din or a bullhorn coming from ahead of me. as i approached, i saw bodies perched upon the christopher columbus fountain, arms frozen in the air, sheets spraypainted with protest slogans lofted into the air. "no to war with iraq." "peace is the way." a twenty-something girl shouted into the bullhorn about how we needed to join together and show the president that he was not leading america into war because the american people have no desire to go into that war. the president is dragging the people into battle.
people stood around the fountain, squinting in the glare of the late afternoon sunshine as they looked up at her -- other protest-types with the stereotypical long hair and sandals, businessmen and -women obviously on their way home like i was who had stopped along the way -- some to listen, some to call people on their cells. a small number of people showed their silent support by holding their right hand in the peace sign.
this is part of what will become daily life here now ... and one must wonder if the man in the pond is going to become a fixture as well! you would not believe how much this guy is messing with the city ... it's so ridiculous and adds to the circus-like dynamic of the place. oh, nevermind -- turns out he surrendered!
i'm personally not at all worried about my safety or anything like that -- i know some people have asked about whether i'm scared to be in dc or how i'm handling it and whatnot. the same as anything else -- waking up, going to work, working, then going home or whatever for the night. again, as was the case during sniper season, i'm not going to let things change my experience -- although i admit i'm watching msnbc a bit more now so i can keep updated and all. yeah, dc can be seen as a "target" for attack, but it's also one of the safest places to be, all things considered. especially working where i do in the city! they're not going to let anything happen to us, let me tell you.
i guess the biggest thing is that it makes me realize how important my friends and family are to me. so, as things prepare to get all sorts of shaken up in this crazy world (i know, i sound like i walked off the set of "casablanca" with that one), know that i'm thinking of you fondly and hope you are feeling as safe and secure as possible in your various locations. whether i talk to you all the time or on rare occasion (or you're a reader i just don't know about that i might not have even met, in which case, well, hi!), know that i send you love and keep you in my heart.
3.18.2003
n.c. truck driver continues standoff on mall
it's true -- this guy is royally messing up things for everyone hoping to travel around that area. and, while we now understand the whole possibility of explosives thing and whatnot, everyone was wondering what the hell the deal was with the tractor still being in the pond this morning. talk about randomness ...
washington is interesting in prewar times. i think i'll try blogging this evening about it a bit -- no time at work today.
it's true -- this guy is royally messing up things for everyone hoping to travel around that area. and, while we now understand the whole possibility of explosives thing and whatnot, everyone was wondering what the hell the deal was with the tractor still being in the pond this morning. talk about randomness ...
washington is interesting in prewar times. i think i'll try blogging this evening about it a bit -- no time at work today.
IMing at work while i have a major case of itching-to-get-outdoors-spring-fever:
v: i've decided that congress should move outdoors today and know how we can figure out the estrada mess. big game of red rover -- dems on one side, republicans on the other. nice and easy -- plus fits with the estrada "hi i'm on a milk carton" theme of the entire nomination process.
e: well there's an idea
v: this is what spring fever does to me :-)
e: i've decided that congress should move to Baghdad...but I like your idea better.
v: i've decided that congress should move outdoors today and know how we can figure out the estrada mess. big game of red rover -- dems on one side, republicans on the other. nice and easy -- plus fits with the estrada "hi i'm on a milk carton" theme of the entire nomination process.
e: well there's an idea
v: this is what spring fever does to me :-)
e: i've decided that congress should move to Baghdad...but I like your idea better.
3.17.2003
in fine tradition ...
top o' the mornin to ya! sure and begorrah it warms the cockles of me heart to hope that you and yours have a fabulous day o' the irish!
ah ... st. patrick's day. one of my favorite holidays -- not just because of the typical copious alcohol consumption, thank you! i'm over half irish, so i enjoy the opportunity to celebrate an irish holiday -- despite the fact that it's been almost entirely changed into just an excuse to be drunk at all hours of the day. but even that's fun -- it's so bizarre to be sober and kicking off a full workday, considering that the past three or four years, i've been waking up, heading somewhere to drink and then either floating through the day in an intoxicated state or finding my classes all the more interesting because of my inhebriated state ... damn you, responsibility!
st. patty's was one of my favorite days last year (one of my favorites in a year of favorites ... ah, nostalgia). waking up early in the morning to try to grab a spot in line at what ales you, only to realize we were too late in getting there, so stopping at dunkies for drinks to warm us up and hopping into line to get into riras when it opened up at 9 ... drinking at the bars all morning (guinness for those who can drink beer, long island iced teas for myself and becca), then going back to campus and frolicking, whether it be in the 300s or back at the 2s. just being silly and having fun, enjoying the feeling of being twenty-one years old, in college and free to do whatever i wanted ...
and now, a year later. twenty-two years old, out of college and on my own, granted stuck in an office all day, but still happy and able to do whatever i want, in many respects. it's just crazy to think that a whole year has gone by ...
but nevertheless. i'm wearing my green, i have my hair in little pigtails of sort, i have a green carnation beside me (kevin rocks). and it's warmer outside (with the drizzly air, it's almost muggy -- how wonderful is it to be able to notice humidity? I LOVE HEAT!!!!!!!!) and things are good. hurrah!
so happy st. patty's! enjoy yourself!
top o' the mornin to ya! sure and begorrah it warms the cockles of me heart to hope that you and yours have a fabulous day o' the irish!
ah ... st. patrick's day. one of my favorite holidays -- not just because of the typical copious alcohol consumption, thank you! i'm over half irish, so i enjoy the opportunity to celebrate an irish holiday -- despite the fact that it's been almost entirely changed into just an excuse to be drunk at all hours of the day. but even that's fun -- it's so bizarre to be sober and kicking off a full workday, considering that the past three or four years, i've been waking up, heading somewhere to drink and then either floating through the day in an intoxicated state or finding my classes all the more interesting because of my inhebriated state ... damn you, responsibility!
st. patty's was one of my favorite days last year (one of my favorites in a year of favorites ... ah, nostalgia). waking up early in the morning to try to grab a spot in line at what ales you, only to realize we were too late in getting there, so stopping at dunkies for drinks to warm us up and hopping into line to get into riras when it opened up at 9 ... drinking at the bars all morning (guinness for those who can drink beer, long island iced teas for myself and becca), then going back to campus and frolicking, whether it be in the 300s or back at the 2s. just being silly and having fun, enjoying the feeling of being twenty-one years old, in college and free to do whatever i wanted ...
and now, a year later. twenty-two years old, out of college and on my own, granted stuck in an office all day, but still happy and able to do whatever i want, in many respects. it's just crazy to think that a whole year has gone by ...
but nevertheless. i'm wearing my green, i have my hair in little pigtails of sort, i have a green carnation beside me (kevin rocks). and it's warmer outside (with the drizzly air, it's almost muggy -- how wonderful is it to be able to notice humidity? I LOVE HEAT!!!!!!!!) and things are good. hurrah!
so happy st. patty's! enjoy yourself!
3.16.2003
i just submitted my first freelance review.
hopefully i'll get at least some form of a response. all i want out of this one is a "hey, keep on submitting." that would lift me above and beyond happiness.
fingers crossed ...
oh yeah, i finally found a radio station i can get from my apartment that plays vickie-like music (well, relatively speaking). !!! 104.1. any others i should know about?
ok, after the excitement of a delightful weekend and the huge weight lifted off my shoulders by submitting my review, i'm exhausted. time to get everything set for work tomorrow and then collapse into bed. sleep by 10:30? ooh, that would be nice.
beth -- i'll call tomorrow night!
hopefully i'll get at least some form of a response. all i want out of this one is a "hey, keep on submitting." that would lift me above and beyond happiness.
fingers crossed ...
oh yeah, i finally found a radio station i can get from my apartment that plays vickie-like music (well, relatively speaking). !!! 104.1. any others i should know about?
ok, after the excitement of a delightful weekend and the huge weight lifted off my shoulders by submitting my review, i'm exhausted. time to get everything set for work tomorrow and then collapse into bed. sleep by 10:30? ooh, that would be nice.
beth -- i'll call tomorrow night!
3.15.2003
my review is finished -- for the most part. i wrote all i intended to write today and plan on polishing and creating more of a coherent lead and final graf tomorrow after i have some time to be away from the beast. yay! beth, expect a phone call from the metro in a lil bit!
i don't know why, but around 7ish, i felt this huge rush of energy and a need to get everything done NOW so i could be on time to get to this show. i don't know what the deal was -- but this huge anticipation was luring me. it's not like it's a big deal or anything -- i'm just going to a concert like i've done a million times in the past. it's not as if i'm likely to even see anyone i know at the venue -- so why was i all rushed and flustered (but in a good way)? i suppose i'll just chalk it up to it being a spring-like saturday evening, having a ticket waiting for me at will call and a singer/songwriter scheduled to entertain me in a couple of hours, as well as the possibilities a night out possesses -- who knows who i will meet, what i will see, yadda yadda? and, in some respects, the added thought of going to the show on my own -- yes, there's the possibility that colin might wind up there to check out mason, but it seems doubtful -- fills me with anticipation. the mraz thing kind of blew up in my face last time (but certainly worked out well for me in all in all -- hi paul!), but that was also a weeknight, where i was so busy getting out of work and getting to the venue that i didn't have time to think about it. going to a show on my own is kind of neat, in its own sort of way. i mean, granted, it's always better to know that there will be someone familiar there to talk to and whatnot, but i'm rather proud of myself, in my own dorky way. i'm being proactive, dammit! assertive and strong ... yeah, i know. cue destiny child's "independent women" and all that. but i think it's something a lot of people wouldn't do on their own because of that fear of standing around without someone to talk to. and here i am, fully aware of that possibility, but looking forward to the alternative.
that's it -- a goal for the night. i'm going to find a way to talk to someone i haven't met yet. it's going to happen. revel...revelrevel.
ok, time to tame the beast that is my hair and catch the metro. here goes ...
i don't know why, but around 7ish, i felt this huge rush of energy and a need to get everything done NOW so i could be on time to get to this show. i don't know what the deal was -- but this huge anticipation was luring me. it's not like it's a big deal or anything -- i'm just going to a concert like i've done a million times in the past. it's not as if i'm likely to even see anyone i know at the venue -- so why was i all rushed and flustered (but in a good way)? i suppose i'll just chalk it up to it being a spring-like saturday evening, having a ticket waiting for me at will call and a singer/songwriter scheduled to entertain me in a couple of hours, as well as the possibilities a night out possesses -- who knows who i will meet, what i will see, yadda yadda? and, in some respects, the added thought of going to the show on my own -- yes, there's the possibility that colin might wind up there to check out mason, but it seems doubtful -- fills me with anticipation. the mraz thing kind of blew up in my face last time (but certainly worked out well for me in all in all -- hi paul!), but that was also a weeknight, where i was so busy getting out of work and getting to the venue that i didn't have time to think about it. going to a show on my own is kind of neat, in its own sort of way. i mean, granted, it's always better to know that there will be someone familiar there to talk to and whatnot, but i'm rather proud of myself, in my own dorky way. i'm being proactive, dammit! assertive and strong ... yeah, i know. cue destiny child's "independent women" and all that. but i think it's something a lot of people wouldn't do on their own because of that fear of standing around without someone to talk to. and here i am, fully aware of that possibility, but looking forward to the alternative.
that's it -- a goal for the night. i'm going to find a way to talk to someone i haven't met yet. it's going to happen. revel...revelrevel.
ok, time to tame the beast that is my hair and catch the metro. here goes ...
writing the review update 2
my search for lunch was very successful -- subway treated me well. mmm ...
one of my favorite howie day songs lately has been "brace yourself" -- i found a mp3 of him performing the song live with a "band" -- talk about an amazing version -- i'm in love with this song. i'm very happy that he's going to be recording his new album, because i think it's going to be amazing. i'm very pleased with how he's developing as a musician -- unlike certain other singer/songwriters who shall remain nameless ... *cough* taco stand *cough* ...
ok, so i'm settling back in to do some of this here writing. i've procrastinated enough -- chatted on the phone, gotten lunch, etc. i'm going to write this review (at least write something for it so i can polish it and submit it tomorrow), i am going to go work out a bit, then i am going to take a walk, make dinner and prepare for the mason jennings show tonight ...
ok, here comes my dopey girlie section of the post -- my hair. do i want to grow it out again or keep it short? i'm contemplating either being just growing it for awhile or trying something new ... thoughts? leave commenting love, yo ...
my search for lunch was very successful -- subway treated me well. mmm ...
one of my favorite howie day songs lately has been "brace yourself" -- i found a mp3 of him performing the song live with a "band" -- talk about an amazing version -- i'm in love with this song. i'm very happy that he's going to be recording his new album, because i think it's going to be amazing. i'm very pleased with how he's developing as a musician -- unlike certain other singer/songwriters who shall remain nameless ... *cough* taco stand *cough* ...
ok, so i'm settling back in to do some of this here writing. i've procrastinated enough -- chatted on the phone, gotten lunch, etc. i'm going to write this review (at least write something for it so i can polish it and submit it tomorrow), i am going to go work out a bit, then i am going to take a walk, make dinner and prepare for the mason jennings show tonight ...
ok, here comes my dopey girlie section of the post -- my hair. do i want to grow it out again or keep it short? i'm contemplating either being just growing it for awhile or trying something new ... thoughts? leave commenting love, yo ...
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